Hamburg Luxury Hotels

Germany’s second city and Europe’s second-largest port, Hamburg mixes history and heritage with vibrant culture and cutting-edge architecture. This ancient Hanseatic port is today one of the most affluent cities in Europe, reflected in its ritzy restaurants, upscale stores, and opulent hotels. With a wealth of fascinating museums, prestigious art galleries, and world-class theaters and concert halls, it’s the perfect place to spoil yourself on your city break in Hamburg.

Things to see in Hamburg

The birthplace of Brahms, Hamburg is a year-round destination for lovers of classical and contemporary art and culture. Gaze at the impressive Baroque Revival façade of the Laeiszhalle, home of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, which has witnessed performances by Yehudi Menuhin, Maria Callas, and Igor Stravinsky. Get a taste for the city’s flourishing art scene at the avant-garde Vera Munro Gallery on the banks of the River Alster, or check out the best of Hamburg’s home-grown talent at the up-and-coming Galerie Molitoris in the Eimsbüttel neighborhood of the city. If classical art is more your thing, take time to admire the works of old masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Tiepolo at the stately Hamburger Kunsthalle, which dates back to 1869 and today houses some of Germany’s most prestigious art collections. As Christmas approaches, Hamburg city center transforms into a winter wonderland with its famous Christmas Markets filling the squares and sidewalks with twinkling lights and the spicy scent of traditional glühwein.

Luxury hotels in Hamburg

As you’d expect for a major international port, Hamburg has a huge range of accommodation at all levels, but is particularly well served at the luxury hotel end of the market. All the big global chains are here, along with many privately owned hotels in Hamburg landmark buildings with long and illustrious histories. Pampering comes as standard in these high-end hotels, where you can expect to find state-of-the-art facilities such as spas, swimming pools, and fine-dining restaurants, as well as impeccable levels of personal service. If you’re after a more intimate experience or an off-the-beaten-path location, the city also has a great choice of luxury boutique hotels.

Where to stay in Hamburg

The pretty lakes that lend downtown Hamburg its laid-back character were formed by the damming of the River Alster, and the upscale hotels on the lakeside offer the last word in relaxation—ask for a room overlooking the water and wake up to tranquil views of boats and wildlife. For a funkier vibe, check out the historic St Pauli neighborhood, which has successfully transformed itself into one of the city’s most diverse and fashionable quarters. The stylish Neustadt district is perfectly situated for a spending spree in the upmarket Neuer Wall shopping area.

How to get to Hamburg

Hamburg Airport is served by around 60 airlines and has direct flights to well over 100 destinations in Europe and further afield. It is situated very close to the city center, with a frequent metro link to the main train station taking around 25 minutes. From here, Germany’s high-speed ICE train network provides direct connections to a number of major German cities such as Hannover, Kiel, and Berlin. The city of Hamburg itself has an excellent public transportation system and is very easy to navigate by bus, overground (S-Bahn), or underground (U-Bahn) train.